Why do UK, US and Aus foreign office advise against ALL TRAVEL to Abkhazia?

What do other people think of the warnings against Abkhazia? Why don't they recommend against all travel to Turkish Cyprus for example as it's another unrecognised separatist state?

I might have been to 35 plus countries but don't think it's opportune to label myself as an expert, on the contrary.
It's all random experience - as an example I never felt more safe than in Playa del Ingles.

For sure Abchazia has got a bad reputation in the western media and assaults in 'nearby areas' might have influenced this advice, probably related to Sochi Olympics.

In short: why ask here, just apply to the appropriate websites/embassies. Without checking them I assume they explain things to their 'clients'. They will be informed for sure (NSA is everywhere...)

According to the Australian foreign office, you're at a danger of "unexploded ordnance". Fact is, there is no evidence of any unexploded ordnance in Abkhazia

I think this report will be interesting for you.

I'm bringing this up here because I'm curious to know what other people think about it and if they take such warnings seriously. I have never said I'm an expert, I'm speaking from experience because the only places I've had trouble are places that are supposedly "safe", and I've been to many places which are not considered so safe and had no problems.

I contacted both the Australian and the British foreign office about it. Got no response from the British one but the Australians replied saying that they get their information from their consular partners in the UK and USA (unsurprising, since they have almost exactly the same information) and that everything they post is subject to a review every six months, and they'll supposedly take my email into account.

Regarding Playa Del Ingles. The "Kasbah" area there at night is one of the edgiest and most unsafe places I have been in. On every corner you were accosted by prostitutes, African hustlers (who would insult you if you ignored them) and drug pushers, and absolutely no police around. Very seedy and scary place.

Well, its mostly for the political reasons - its a breakaway region, not member of UN and it would be quite problematic to get some form of consular support if you get into trouble.

Overall the area is not too dangerous due to influx of russian tourists, however southern part has quite bad reputation - its sad and desolated place inhabited by Mingrelians (survivors of ethnic purges), who dont care for an image of the country .
We spent there a week and didnt have problems with crime (except of petty thievery), but we dont dare to generalize - for example this guy had totally different experience.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2331330

I agree that the US State Department and UK FCO warnings are unnecessarily alarmist, as they are for many countries around the world. But you're wrong about the unexploded ordinance according to the Halo Trust (and they ought to know) and the southeastern part of the territory does have a reputation for lawlessness. I wouldn't hesitate to go, but I also don't blame the foreign offices for erring on the side of caution in writing about an area in which they have no diplomatic presence. It's just a way of covering their arses.

1. It makes a big difference where you're crossing. If from Russia, maybe you see a stable Abkhazia. But crossing from Georgia is a different matter.

2. Ditto consular protection. Russia recognizes Abkhazia so Russians have consular protection there. Westerners don't (unless from Nicaragua or Venezuela).

All in, there are reasonable grounds for recommending against travel there, especially if entering from Georgia.

But those warnings don't state that unexploded ordnance is limited to the south - they say you should not visit the entire territory due to this. neglecting to mention that there's no chance of being a victim of this if you stick to the main tourist trail. They don't recommend against all travel to areas of the Balkans where there's still a prevalence of land mines.

For the record, I crossed over from Georgia. I didn't see anything of the Gali area however, as I instantly got a marshrutka to Sukhumi.

My problem with the foreign office is that they rate it on the same warning level as Somalia and worse than parts of Afghanistan. They don't just recommend against non-essential travel, they recommend against ALL TRAVEL. In my mind, that is not reasonable.

As I said its not so much about the level of security - reason is mostly political. They dont want to recognize Abkhazia as an independent state (yet) and each westerner who gets into trouble there and need some assistance gives Abkhazian government certain kind of leverage that can be used to fulfill their political aims.

So they prefer if people dont travel there so they have no problems with it

These posts may help,

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2331330

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2336329